The Lagos State government on Thursday demolished an illegally built structure on Banana Island. The structure was built on unauthorized reclaimed land and would have obstructed drainage paths.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Oluyinka Olumide, oversaw the operation and also mandated the removal of unauthorized fences.
Mr. Olumide was joined by Mr. Gbolahan Oki, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), who expressed concern over the frequent disregard of building codes by property owners and developers. This led to the demolition as a means to enforce compliance.
It’s worth noting that LASBCA operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
The commissioner issued a stern warning against unauthorized land reclamation within the state, emphasizing that individuals must obtain the necessary permission from the responsible ministry before embarking on such activities.
He clarified that land reclamation is an exclusive prerogative of the government, which typically conducts essential tests through sand filling. He further stated that residents should adhere to the established procedures for land acquisition to avoid potential legal consequences.
Olumide pointed out that the demolished structure had violated a suspension order issued by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during his site inspection earlier in the year. It was revealed at that time that the developer had unlawfully dredged the river to carry out land reclamation without seeking approval from the appropriate authority.
The commissioner emphasized that the unregulated dredging activities in the area must cease as they contravene Planning Laws and have adverse effects on the state’s ecosystem.
“We need to stop people’s belief that they are above the law, once you have law, everybody is supposed to be controlled by the law which is supposed to guide the society.”
“Here, lawless activities are taking place whereby people are on their own deliberately reclaiming land for their developments which is very bad.”
“The power line was even made at the center of the lagoon, the ceiling is almost reaching the power line which is not safe for human habitation,” he said.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr. Gbolahan Oki, revealed that the construction site had been officially closed on three separate occasions. However, the developers disregarded government directives by breaking the seals and continuing their work.
Oki highlighted that the developers lacked the requisite building plan approvals and layout approvals. He urged residents to proactively engage in due diligence by visiting district offices located in various local governments to obtain accurate information.
He further recommended that residents should acquire a Certificate of Occupancy, building plan approval, or seek regularization before commencing any construction work on a site.
“My duty is to remove anything illegal,” he said.
Oki explained that breaking the seals was a violation of the building code and emphasized that illicit land reclamation activities would face penalties.
He further stated that all structures engaged in unauthorized shoreline expansions along the Lagos Waterfront would be subject to demolition, and the developers would be prosecuted.
Oki urged all prospective property owners to consistently prioritize thorough research before commencing construction, which includes obtaining the required documentation from government agencies.